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The NCAA.com’s Andy Katz (previously of ESPN) has spent the last couple days counting down the top 20 players returning in college basketball this coming season. Thursday, he named his top five returning players, including Virginia’s Kyle Guy at No. 5.
[WARNING: Video contains reference to NCAA tournament. Proceed with caution.}
TOP 5!@TheAndyKatz reveals players #5 to #1 in his Top 20 Returning Players for 2018-19! pic.twitter.com/aTzbBFjmZ0
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) July 5, 2018
Guy finished his sophomore season averaging a team best 14.1 points per game to go with 2.6 rebounds per game and 39% shooting from beyond the arc. His 83 made three pointers last season are the fifth-most by a Virginia player in one season, and his shooting helped the Hoos to a regular season and ACC tournament titles. He has become the poster boy for Virginia basketball awards, earning First Team All-ACC, ACC Tournament MVP, and NABC Third Team All-American.
After the loss to UMBC in the NCAA tournament, Guy shared his experience and has resolved himself to coming back stronger and has vowed to work harder than ever before.
Kyle was happy with the recognition, but couldn’t go without shouting out a couple returning players he thought should be included:
Much love missing a couple players... #11 #12 https://t.co/kPVpnxbxXK
— Kyle J Guy (@kylejguy5) July 6, 2018
In case you don’t have the roster memorized, teammates Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter wear jerseys #11 and #12, respectively. Jerome and Hunter finished last season with 10.2 and 9.6 points per game, which was good for third and fourth on the team (again, respectively). Hunter’s late season wrist injury kept him from playing in the NCAA tournament, but he’s expected to go in or near the top 10 in next year’s NBA Draft.
Four ACC players (including Guy) made the list, all of which ended up in the top 10.
Here’s Andy Katz’s full list:
20. McKinley Wright, IV - Colorado
19. Jontay Porter - Missouri
18. Lindell Wigginton - Iowa State
17. Tremont Waters - LSU
16. Kellan Grady - Davidson
15. Mike Daum - S. Dakota State
14. Bennie Boatwright - USC
13. James Palmer Jr - Nebraska
12. Juwan Morgan - Indiana
11. Grant Williams - Tennessee
10. Ky Bowman - Boston College
9. Shamorie Ponds - St. John’s
8. Rui Hachimura - Gonzaga
7. Markus Howard - Marquette
6. Tyus Battle - Syracuse
5. Kyle Guy - Virginia
4. Ethan Happ - Wisconsin
3. Caleb Martin - Nevada
2. Luke Maye - North Carolina
1. Carsen Edwards - Purdue